And for the accomplishment of this end he both received and exerts his power —
[It would have been to little purpose to have received from the Father an elect people, if he had not been invested also with power to secure them to himself. The Father well knew how many obstacles there would be to their salvation ; and therefore he committed all power to his Son, that nothing might resist his will, or prevent the accomplishment of his eternal counsels. Jesus, thus qualified, orders every thing, both in heaven and earth, with an immediate reference to this great design. Events may sometimes appear to oppose his gracious intentions: but, as in a well-constructed watch the seemingly contrary movements all conduce to one end, so every dispensation, whether of providence or of grace, ultimately tends to his glory in our salvation p.]
Infer —
1. What madness is it to neglect the Lord Jesus Christ !
[If any man have great preferments in his gift, he is sure to have many courting an interest in his favour. But the Lord Jesus Christ has eternal life to bestow upon us, and yet we can scarcely be induced to ask it at his hands. What strange in- fatuation ! O let us awake from our slumbers, and implore of him the benefits he is so willing to confer.]
2. How great is the security which the Lord's people enjoy!
1 Ps. ex. 3. k Eph. i. 4, 5. ' John iv. 14. and vi. 51.
m Col. hi. 3, 4. " John xii. 32. and xiv. 19. 0 John xiv. 13. p Rom. viii. 28.